Some Gyaan In Your Inbox

To My Inner Critic

I have something to tell you, my inner critic -I have given you a name. I call you Cassius – after the character in Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar. Why? Because Cassius had a major role in getting Brutus to kill Caesar. That’s exactly the role you’ve been playing in my life. You keep encouraging me to kill my creativity.

You, Cassius, are insidious, subtle and wily. You find various ways of telling me that I’m not good enough a writer. You creep into my mind and make me compare myself to others.

Over the years, it’s not just my writing you’ve attacked, but my choices, my personality and my self-esteem. You’ve got your ever-willing workers who are happy to convey your messages to me. Someone subtly questioning my behaviour, another one questioning my choices, the third telling me to get my head out of the clouds.

But your biggest weapon, that works almost every time with someone like me, is to get another person to say they need me. Off I go to ‘rescue’ them, always putting their need before my own. Putting their gifts, before mine. To paraphrase Julia Cameron, I have ‘squandered my own creative energies by investing disproportionately in the lives, hopes, dreams and plans of others’.

Not anymore, Cassius. You can kick and scream, throw a tantrum and tell me I’m selfish. I’ll just cock a snook at you and go on my merry creative way. I’ve given into you and your vassals for too long.

It’s time to claim my mojo back. It’s time for me to nurture my creative spirit.

And Caesar was right is saying,
“Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o’ nights:
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.”

When Caesar himself was wary of Cassius, how much more should we be!

Corinne, I had taught this play and so couldn’t resist the quote. Loved the analogy. And you’re wise in saying that Cassius has to be eliminated if he is contriving against out positive growth.

Yea.. I need to chase away my inner demons too!
Some, I have succeeded, but some still keep coming back!! 🙁
Very strongly written and I’m bookmarking this to read each time a demon comes knocking on my door!

Hi Corinne – yes, the inner critic has got to go. Sometimes, my inner critic feels so much at home that he starts taking his show on the road and introducing himself to others! Yikes – in the form of external criticism and judgment. He’s a pesky house-guest but trying to let more love in and show Cassius the way out.

My mind is on Native American teachings this morning as I prepare for my Celestial Visioning ‘Super Moon’ Event here in the Twin Cities — the Spirit Keeper for this moon is Shawnodese the Coyote. Like your Cassius, Shawnodese is wily, but I think of him in a more altruistic way.

To the Native American people the coyote is a trickster who can force people to learn even when they don’t want to. We humans can sometimes be stubborn and tricks may be necessary for growth. By appreciating his wily ways I’m able to work with him and appreciate him instead of fighting against him.

It seems like your Cassius may also be a useful teacher as long as he is appreciated for the Truth of who he is. Now, I’m wondering if you have a name for the Spirit within you who represents the opposite of the Inner Critic?

Thank you for your growth and sharing — The world is a BRIGHTER place because of YOU! XOXOX

What an idea ,to be able to recognise and address ,warn and instruct your inner Cassius …! It is important to learn to have a dialogue with your inner self and I realise even as I read this, that I have a long way to go on this learning path.

So that’s who I saw. He went off slinking away, with a totally abject look on his face. And his T-shirt said, “Sorry, Corinne, won’t mess with you again.”
Super post, Corinne. These guys need this kind of talking-to once in a while. You’ve shown us all the right way to do it.

Corinne, I am sure there are others like me who agree that you are a great motivator. You helped open up a whole lot of avenues. With your gentle, yet firm nudging, I have been able to venture into this world of blogging. You have helped me overcome my self-doubt. We all are humane and we all have something to fight for. Cheers to the new you.

So that is the guy I am supposed to blame for my lack luster life! No wonder why I am still floundering around for all these years. I can see where “he” has taken me and left me out to dry. The struggle has been fighting “will” against “reason” and never really knew who I should believe or follow. Too bad I didn’t label him years ago and then I could have used logic to go down a more productive path. Lot less frustration would be transpiring now if only I would have seen that years ago. As they say “we our own worst enemy”. You are right, we do get suckered in by other peoples needs and wants, all the while neglecting our own. I am trying not to rally around other peoples purpose and aspirations, at least not until they have proven to be correct. I have wasted so much time in the past doing just that, instead of following on a path I should have taken…would be so much further ahead by now.
Great post and I shall have to figure out a name for my inner critic, may be with a name I can recognize it a lot better when it raises its’ ugly head.

I have ‘squandered my own creative energies by investing disproportionately in the lives, hopes, dreams and plans of others’. – I want to read the book just because of this sentence – It struck a chord with me !
Too much self criticism/doubt is so bad … and takes the fun out of the simply joy of writing !

I love it, Corinne and can totally relate. I call my inner critic, Mr. ICK and I’ve often written about him and how he tries to sabotage my creativity by telling me I’m not good enough and why bother, you’ll just fail anyhow?

I can’t stand him and how he tries to spoil my fun. On good days, I can tell him to take a hike. On bad “POOR ME” days, it’s not so easy. I guess the main thing is to be aware that what he says isn’t true and try not to listen. He should never have that power to limit us that way. He is telling lies, lies and more lies!

Interesting about how you spread yourself thin going to help others achieve dreams while ignoring your own. You are a kind and giving person. We do need more folks like you in the world. But while you’re out there giving and encouraging, don’t forget to give and encourage yourself, too as you’re worth it! We women do tend to put others’ needs ahead of our own but our needs are just as important.

I think he has visited me often too. Awesome post. Thank you Corinne. It is the kick start I need when I think I can not write and I can not do this or that. When I feel that way, I will come back and read your words and be inspired and put back on track. I am bookmarking this post now so I always have it at my fingertips.

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